(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, a new
motor vehicle dealer or used motor vehicle dealer engaged in the
business of selling trailers, truck-tractors, road-tractors or
trucks that demonstrates the motor vehicles under actual work
conditions to potential purchasers shall obtain a special
demonstration plate from the Division of Motor Vehicles. The motor
vehicle dealer may obtain special demonstration plates without
first titling or registering each vehicle.

(b) The commissioner shall prescribe the application form for
these special demonstration plates and shall require the applicant
to submit proof of the applicant's status as a bona fide dealer in
motor vehicles and to certify that the applicant needs special
demonstration plates in the ordinary course of business.

The commissioner, upon approving an application, shall issue
to the new motor vehicle dealer or used motor vehicle dealer up to
four special demonstration plates which display the term
"demonstration" or "demo" and a distinguishing number assigned to
the motor vehicle dealer. The commissioner may issue no more than
ten additional special demonstration plates to a licensee upon a
showing that the licensee has sales or potential sales justifying
additional plates. This showing may include, but is not limited
to, the dealer's on-site inventory of the applicable type of vehicles, previous sales of applicable vehicles or the geographical
divergence of the dealer's customer base.

(c) The annual fee for special demonstration plates is $100
for the first plate and $50 for each additional special
demonstration plate that is issued, not to exceed a total of
fourteen plates per dealer.

(d) Each motor vehicle dealer who is issued special
demonstration plates shall keep a written record, on a form
approved by the commissioner and open to inspection by a police
officer or employee of the division, containing the following
information:

(1) Identification of the motor vehicles upon which the
special demonstration plates are used;

(2) The times and dates during which each special
demonstration plate is used;

(3) The name and address of the company or individual using a
motor vehicle on which a special demonstration plate is used; and
(4) Other information considered necessary by the
commissioner.

(e) Each motor vehicle operated under the provisions of this
section is considered to be registered at the maximum vehicle
weights allowable under article seventeen, chapter seventeen-c of
this code.

(f) A motor vehicle dealer shall not:

(1) Use a special demonstration plate issued under the provisions of this section on a motor vehicle which is not being
demonstrated;

(2) Use a special demonstration plate to demonstrate a single
motor vehicle for more than seven calendar days in a calendar year
for a single customer;

(3) Use a special demonstration plate on a motor vehicle
leased or rented to a customer; or

(4) Use a special demonstration plate in any way other than to
demonstrate the on-the-job capabilities of a motor vehicle to a
potential purchaser.

(g) The motor vehicle dealer is required to furnish a
certificate of insurance in the amount required by regulations of
the West Virginia Public Service Commission or the United States
Department of Transportation for the class of motor carrier for
which the motor vehicle is to be demonstrated.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2015 Regular Session
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